Plastics in the microwave oven: The 3 health risks

Whether you're reheating leftovers from the night before or making popcorn, the microwave offers convenience and speed.

The way you use it, however, often undermines your health.

There has always been concern about the use of plastics (either cling film or plastic containers) in microwave oven, due to the possibility of leakage of toxins due to the heat and contamination of the food, and therefore the body.

"Some of the initial concerns are about dioxins in the environment, which are toxic compounds released when garbage is burned that can cause reproductive problems and even cancer," says pathologist Dr. Matthew Mintz.

However, plastics do not contain dioxins. Plastics contain two potentially harmful compounds: bisphenol-A (BPA), which is added to make plastic hard and clear, and phthalates, which make plastics more flexible and soft.

"Even without heat, there is some concern that plastics that come into contact with food or drink for a long time can be dangerous, which is why there are so many BPA-free bottles now on the market," adds Dr. Mintz.

Nutrients are destroyed

Microwaves use short waves of energy, which primarily affect water molecules to cause vibrations and thermal energy, hence heat. The heat we use to cook or reheat food breaks down nutrients at the cellular level.

It is therefore important that foods are cooked at appropriate temperatures for as short a time as possible in order to preserve their nutrients. Excessive heating and cooking destroys nutrients, such as vitamins and antioxidants, experts stress.

Chemical Reactions

When meat, poultry and fish are cooked at very high temperatures, substances called heterocyclic amines form on their surface and are blamed for cancer.

Charcoal grilling, in particular, hides another danger: the dripping fat is pyrolyzed by the smoke and polyaromatic hydrocarbons are produced that are even more dangerous than heterocyclic amines. These compounds cause changes in DNA, which are linked to the risk of cancer.

Infertility

Exposure to phthalates is associated with fertility problems, while exposure of the developing fetus to bisphenol-A has been linked to the risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. This substance has been banned from bottles and glasses for babies and children.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued strict guidelines for the manufacture of microwave safe plastics that must be labeled "microwave safe".

But there are dangerous plastics that when heated can contaminate food with dangerous chemicals. These are the ones with the numbers 3 (PVC or vinyl), 6 (styrofoam) or 7 (may contain BPA) and are usually found on plastic food packaging and plastic water bottles.